The trade that sent defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Titans to the Bears has an interesting and absolutely wild postscript. It turns out Giants coach John Harbaugh made a direct call to Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk, trying to get Simmons to New York, and it’s got the entire league talking about “codes” and “shameful” behavior. This wasn’t just a casual chat either. This move came after Giants G.M. Joe Schoen had already been in contact with Titans G.M. Mike Borgonzi about Simmons, only to be told the Titans weren’t even thinking about trading him. Harbaugh went over everyone’s head!
Breaking the Unwritten Code
Other G.M.s across the league are NOT happy about this. Jonathan Jones of The Athletic reported that another general manager who caught wind of Harbaugh’s direct line to the owner said it “violates a code” among the NFL’s decision-makers. Like, seriously? That’s a strong statement. And it didn’t stop there. One source in a key football position with another NFL team even labeled the effort “shameful.” This isn’t just about a trade; it’s about the unwritten rules of engagement in the league, and Harbaugh apparently just threw the playbook out the window. You don’t usually see coaches making direct calls to owners on player trades after their G.M. has already been shot down. It’s a power move, for sure, but one that has clearly ruffled some feathers.
The Titans’ Twisted Timeline
Adding another layer to this whole mess is the Titans’ own story. Borgonzi claimed on Thursday that the Titans weren’t even looking to trade Simmons until the Bears called on Wednesday night. But Jones reports that’s not exactly the full truth. The Titans’ “braintrust” actually had a meeting on Tuesday where they decided to start listening to offers for Simmons. So, Borgonzi might have been playing a little coy with the Giants G.M. while their own internal discussions were already in full swing. It’s also still unclear whether Harbaugh’s direct call to Adams Strunk happened before or after Bears G.M. Ryan Poles offered a package that included a pair of first-round picks. What we do know is the Giants were willing to offer more than that Bears’ package, which makes you wonder if Harbaugh’s risky move was an act of desperation, or if he just genuinely believed going to the top was the only way to get his guy.
This whole situation has truly put a spotlight on the backroom dealings of the NFL. It raises questions about how far teams are willing to go, and what lines they’re willing to cross, to land a star player. Will this incident change how G.M.s and coaches operate going forward, or will Harbaugh’s move just become another cautionary tale of what happens when you break the “code”? We’ll definitely be watching to see if any more “shameful” reports surface.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply